Valerie Harper "Dancing with the Stars" Despite Terminal Brain Cancer
by TMZ Staff
8/28/13


Valerie Harper -- whom doctors gave three months to live back in March due to her terminal brain cancer -- hasn't just defied medicine by staying alive ... she's signed on to "Dancing with the Stars"!

As we reported, 74-year-old Harper -- famous for playing the role of Rhoda on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" -- announced she had been diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare form of cancer in which cancer cells spread into the membrane surrounding the brain.



Doctors gave her roughly until June to live ... but it's already August, and we've learned she's doing so well she is set to appear on the upcoming season of "Dancing", an extremely physically-demanding reality show.

We're told Valerie and her partner Tristan have already been practicing for two days, and she's surprisingly good. Our sources say she's completely self-sufficient and doesn't need any special assistance ... at least so far.



TMZ broke the story ... Leah Remini will also be on the next season, as well as Snooki, Elizabeth Berkley, Amber Riley, and Christina Milian.


http://www.tmz.com/2013/08/28/valerie-harper-dancing-with-the-stars-brain-cancer/

My name is Rhoda Morgenstern. I was born in the Bronx, New York, in December 1941. More than 70 years later I would be diagnosed with incurable brain cancer and given three months to live, but half a year later, instead of planning to die, I’d be considering going on Dancing with the Stars. People used to think I was insecure, but not anymore!

My admiration and respect for Valerie Harper just continue to grow!!

I heard it was a rumor, but now it's official! She's amazing!

This makes the second MTM cast member following Cloris Leachman. Maybe Betty White will be next.

Go Val!!! She is nothing if not a walking miracle. :D

You know I will be watching and supporting her! I hope she'll be all right, I know she's doing better and is positive about this, but she is still poorly so I hope she holds up well.

Valerie rocked it on DWTS tonight!

That's awesome. Much love to Val!! :D

I'm just reading I Rhoda and found out that Valerie got her start in show business as a dancer and that dancing was her first love. No wonder she's rocking DWTS!! Go Val!!